Percussionist Master Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth Wolin of Oak Park, Mich., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in October 1997.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Wolin began his musical training at age 8. After graduating from Oak Park High School in 1985, he attended Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio where he earned a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance in 1989. He continued his studies at the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor where he earned a master’s degree in percussion performance in 1991. His percussion instructors were Michael Rosen of Oberlin Conservatory, Michael Udow of the U-M, and Sam Tundo of the Detroit Symphony.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own” he performed with the Rhode Island Philharmonic in Providence, Sarasota Opera in Florida, and served as an extra with the Detroit Symphony, Toledo Symphony in Ohio, Springfield Symphony in Massachusetts, and New Hampshire Symphony in Manchester. Additionally, he performed professionally throughout the state of Massachusetts as a marimba soloist.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Wolin performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour. Notable performances include Floyd E. Werle’s arrangement of “The Golden Age of the Xylophone” in 2000, Charles le Thière’s “Sylvia” in 2012, and Boris Papandolupo’s Concerto for Xylophone and String Orchestra in 2015.